International Gathering celebrates 125 years
The Maclean Clan International Gathering is to be held from Tuesday to Sunday, June 20 to 25, with the principal event being the gathering at Duart on Saturday June 24.
The number attending is expected to be in the region of 700 clanspeople, coming from Argentina, South Africa, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand as well as France Belgium, Germany, England, Wales and Scotland.
There will be a welcome for all, especially those from Mull and Argyll, to attend the Saturday gathering, which will include the March of the Clan and the installation of the new Chief’s Piper, Calum Maclean, from Tobermory. There will also be re- enactors, dancers, pipe bands, storytellers and a harpist.
2017 is the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, and the gathering will be a chance for Macleans to see the work that has already been undertaken in the major conservation and ongoing repair work on Duart Castle. Most of this work has so far been concerned with the keep, and also repairs to the ‘ghost walk’.
The worldwide Clan Maclean has contributed more than £125,000 to the appeal so far. Sir Lachlan Maclean has said how grateful he is to the clan for their support, and especially to the many donors of small sums, who have contributed to this magnificent total.
The gathering has been called to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Clan Maclean Association in 1892 in Glasgow. The association, still based in Glasgow, now has a worldwide membership of about 4,500, under the presidency of Vera MacLean, widow of the late Colonel Donald MacLean, who together arranged so many of the previous gatherings, which started in 1986. This gathering is being arranged by Anne Maclean, wife of Canon Maclean, formerly provost of St John’s Cathedral, Oban.
The Clan Maclean Association is very grateful for the award of a Supporting Community Fund grant from Argyll and Bute Council, and has also received a VisitScotland grant of £ 5,000 from the Scottish Clan Event Fund set up to encourage ‘clan tourism’, which is specifically for the marquee at Duart.